Charges have now been filed against the owner of one of the smoke shops that was raided by deputies in May.They range from illegal sale of paraphernalia to illegal use of U.S. currency as a result of the sale of those items. But the owner of one of the shops has filed a motion of his own, seeking the return of many of those items.Yossi Galimidi, the owner of Blaze Smoke Shop on Ryan Street, wants some 12,000 smoking pipes returned, among other items seized in a ra...More >>

Charges have now been filed against the owner of one of the smoke shops that was raided by deputies in May.They range from illegal sale of paraphernalia to illegal use of U.S. currency as a result of the sale of those items. But the owner of one of the shops has filed a motion of his own, seeking the return of many of those items.Yossi Galimidi, the owner of Blaze Smoke Shop on Ryan Street, wants some 12,000 smoking pipes returned, among other items seized in a ra...More >>

Authorities crackdown on stores that sell products to help illegal drug users beat drug tests. The undercover operation led to raids on two stores and purchases of such products from about nine localMore >>

Authorities crackdown on stores that sell products to help illegal drug users beat drug tests. The undercover operation led to raids on two stores and purchases of such products from about nine localMore >>

The Lake Charles Alcohol Review Board has suspended the alcohol licenses for seven local convenience stores that have been accused of selling synthetic urine.More >>

The Lake Charles Alcohol Review Board has suspended the alcohol licenses for seven local convenience stores that have been accused of selling synthetic urine.More >>

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA (KPLC) -

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office arrested five people Thursday night during raids at two smoke shops in Southwest Louisiana.

Sheriff Tony Mancuso said an investigation began in November 2013 after detectives received numerous complaints about Up in Smoke, which is located across from Sam Houston High in Moss Bluff.

Mancuso said detectives learned some of the products for sale at the store were glass smoking devices and containers used to hide objects. The hideaways resemble Coke cans, cleaning supplies, or other common household products and have a hidden compartment located in them.

"Investigators also observed synthetic urine (which is used to cheat drug screen tests) and detox liquids, which claim to cleanse the body prior to a drug screening," Mancuso said. "Detectives were able to utilize an undercover agent who purchased the synthetic urine and detox on numerous occasions under the pretense of using it to pass a drug screening.

"During some of the undercover buys the employees offered guidance on how the product should be used to falsify a drug screening.

The same type of undercover investigation was done at the Blaze Smoke Shop, which is located on Ryan Street in Lake Charles.

Mancuso said detectives made numerous buys of synthetic urine and detox liquids from Blaze, as well as purchasing glass smoking devices.

Those arrested at Up In Smoke were:

• John Wayne Garrett, 45, Lake Charles: Three counts of unlawfully supplying any product for the purpose of falsifying a screening test, illegal use of currency, possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond: $14,000.

• Yossi Galamidi, 35, Lake Charles: Two counts of unlawfully supplying any product for the purpose of falsifying a screening test, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of currency. Bond: $15,000.

Detectives also performed undercover operations at nine convenience stores in Calcasieu Parish where synthetic urine and/or detox liquids were sold. The clerk who sold the items from each store was issued a misdemeanor summons unlawful sales or supplying a product for the purpose of falsifying a drug screening.

The defense has rested in Stacy Johnson's first-degree murder trial. Johnson is accused of murdering Robert Colston Sr. Johnson was 16 at the time the 79-year-old Colston died. When court resumes at 1 p.m., the court is expected to discuss with the defendant whether he understands his right to testify. KPLC's Theresa Schmidt is in the courtroom. Follow her HERE. A juvenile relative of Stacy Johnson took the stand today as the defense put on its case. The witness dispute...More >>

The defense has rested in Stacy Johnson's first-degree murder trial. Johnson is accused of murdering Robert Colston Sr. Johnson was 16 at the time the 79-year-old Colston died. When court resumes at 1 p.m., the court is expected to discuss with the defendant whether he understands his right to testify. KPLC's Theresa Schmidt is in the courtroom. Follow her HERE. A juvenile relative of Stacy Johnson took the stand today as the defense put on its case. The witness dispute...More >>

A Vinton couple is under arrest after a malnourished child brought to a hospital was found to have a lacerated kidney and several sores, bruises and rashes, authorities said. Detectives found the home in which the 5-year-old girl lived to be unkempt, with animal urine and feces throughout the residence, said Cmdr. James McGee, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman. Three other children were living in the home - a 9-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old. The ch...More >>

A Vinton couple is under arrest after a malnourished child brought to a hospital was found to have a lacerated kidney and several sores, bruises and rashes, authorities said. Detectives found the home in which the 5-year-old girl lived to be unkempt, with animal urine and feces throughout the residence, said Cmdr. James McGee, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman. Three other children were living in the home - a 9-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old. The ch...More >>

A gas station casino north of Moss Bluff was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday night. Authorities say that a man entered Buddy's Casino, at 6191 U.S. 171 North, with a handgun around 11:40 p.m. Sunday. The man forced an employee into a back room and demanded money, said Cmdr. James McGee, with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. After stealing money, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage leaving the casino on foot, headed toward 171. The suspect is described as approximate...More >>

A gas station casino north of Moss Bluff was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday night. Authorities say that a man entered Buddy's Casino, at 6191 U.S. 171 North, with a handgun around 11:40 p.m. Sunday. The man forced an employee into a back room and demanded money, said Cmdr. James McGee, with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. After stealing money, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage leaving the casino on foot, headed toward 171. The suspect is described as approximate...More >>

Hurricane Maria’s path of destruction

As Hurricane Maria makes its final departure away from the U.S. coastline over the next couple of days, the name will be retired but the devastation left behind will last for decades, possibly even a lifetime in some of the hardest hit areas of the Caribbean.

As Hurricane Maria makes its final departure away from the U.S. coastline over the next couple of days, the name will be retired but the devastation left behind will last for decades, possibly even a lifetime in some of the hardest hit areas of the Caribbean.